The structure works by emitting heat from ceiling vents when two or more people place their palms against sensors on the walls and then hold hands, forming an electrical circuit

A bus stop in Montreal, Quebec, provides heated respite from the cold winter weather - but only if the passengers inside hold hands.

The structure, which is sponsored and built by Duracell, works by emitting heat from ceiling vents when two or more people place their palms against sensors on the walls and then hold hands, forming an electrical circuit.

A video for the bus stop demonstrating how it functions shows a group of strangers grinning as they manage to make the ceiling heat up. The bus stops are part of advertising agency Cossette's Moments of Warmth campaign for Duracell.

'In Canada, we have cold winters,' a banner on the screen reads. 'But we also have each other.'

People are seen trudging through snow, entering the glass-enclosed bus shelter and reading the instructions on the walls. They look at each other quizzically before linking hands and completing the circuit, causing four vents in the ceiling to light up and release hot air into the space. Some of the passengers laugh and smile, clearly pleased with their newfound warmth. And the heat remains on for several minutes even after the circuit is broken.

The clip, which was posted on YouTube in the first week of March, has had more than 1 150 000 views.

'Heart-warming advertising, literally!' wrote one viewer. Another fan wrote that it was a 'great way to bring people together'.